Gordon Polut passed away at his home in St. Clair Shores on January 13, 2021 at the age of 72. He is predeceased by his parents Mitchell Polut and Mary Grumowicz; sister Helen Harris; father-in-law Frank Jakob; and daughter-in-law Michelle Polut.
Gordon is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Maryanne (nee Jakob); his children Jennifer (Michael) Washburn, Jeffrey Polut, and Sean (Kandice) Polut; grandchildren Adam, Joseph, Kenyah, and Londyn; sister Maria Mullen; mother-in-law Germaine Jakob; and many sisters/brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews.
Gordon also leaves behind the many lifelong friends he made from his childhood in Detroit, his years at Edison and beyond. His friends were a great source of comfort to Gordon and his family during his illness.
Born on January 29, 1948, Gordon and his family emigrated from Salzgitter, Germany to Detroit. As a son of holocaust survivors, Gordon (originally named Zdzislaw Kazimierz Pawlicki) was proud of both his family history and his Polish heritage.
Gordon honorably served in the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army where he was awarded two Bronze Stars (with V for valor) for “Heroism in Ground Combat” during the Vietnam War. Gordon worked at DTE for 39 years as a welder. He also passionately served as the Union Rep and Secretary of Local 223.
A devoted husband and father, Gordon and Maryanne built a beautiful life for their family. As a young dad, Gordon especially enjoyed family time up north and coaching his kids in soccer and t-ball. In later years you would find him in the stands or on the sidelines cheering on his grandsons; he never missed a game, a concert, or an activity.
Gordon loved holidays, sports, traveling, and most of all being at the family cabin where he passed his time hunting and fishing with his sons and brothers-in-law, exploring the woods, working on ATV’s with his grandsons and relaxing outdoors with Maryanne and the kids.
A Burial with Military Honors will be held 1:30PM Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at Resurrection Cemetery, 18201 Clinton River Rd, Clinton Township, Michigan 48038, please meet us inside the front gate. A Memorial to Celebrate Gordon’s life will be planned when circumstances allow us all to be together again.
